Two Romanian men are wanted for fraud following an incident in Scugog, Durham Region, where a used vehicle was allegedly deliberately damaged during a Facebook Marketplace sale. The Durham Regional Police Financial Crimes Unit is investigating the case, which involves the suspects’ attempt to purchase a car at a significantly reduced price by claiming the vehicle had serious mechanical problems after intentionally damaging it.
The incident took place when the suspects responded to an online advertisement on Facebook Marketplace for a used car and arranged to meet the seller at their home in Scugog. After inspecting the vehicle, the suspects took the car for a test drive, during which they allegedly distracted the seller and damaged the car’s engine by covering it with oil.
Following the test drive, the suspects falsely claimed the vehicle’s engine was ruined and that it had severe mechanical problems. They pressured the seller into accepting a reduced price for the car, under the false pretense that the damage rendered the vehicle unsellable at its original price.
The Durham Regional Police have identified the two suspects as Marius Zorila, 31, and Constantin Tanase, 26, both of whom are currently wanted for several charges, including fraud over $5,000, mischief over $5,000, and possession of stolen property. The suspects are also wanted by other police agencies for similar fraud schemes involving vehicle sales.
The Durham Regional Police believe there may be other victims who have been defrauded by these individuals, and they are urging anyone with information or who has encountered similar fraudulent activity to come forward. The Financial Crimes Unit is specifically asking anyone who has been defrauded by Zorila or Tanase to contact A/D/Sgt. Chapman at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 5352.
For those wishing to remain anonymous, information can be submitted through Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or via their website at www.durhamregionalcrimestoppers.ca. Tipsters may be eligible for a cash reward for information that leads to the suspects’ capture.
This case serves as a reminder to those using online platforms like Facebook Marketplace to be cautious during vehicle transactions. Buyers and sellers should be aware of potential scams and should take steps to verify the condition of any vehicle before agreeing to a sale.
As the investigation continues, authorities are committed to bringing the suspects to justice and preventing further fraud schemes targeting unsuspecting buyers and sellers in the community.
